Tales from the StartUp
"And so it is, just like you said it would be" Damien Rice
There is a sort of familiarity to this first post. Something I suppose I was expecting for a while and something I have been planning subconsciously for a long time. To be here, to be writing a blog and sharing my thoughts. It's like a fortelling, finally coming to pass.
The reason behind all of this comes a sense of fear as well, hence the title. Getting back into the StartUp space as a, currently, solo founder is daunting. Especially considering that only twelve months ago the start up I was a co-founder in, exploded and I felt like the biggest loser on the planet. In my mind I was a failure, everyone hated me and I had let everyone down. No more so than myself.
So who am I, how did I get here and why does any of this matter. Well, I'm Gareth. Nice to meet you! I'm a seasoned CTO and start-up founder from Scotland who lives in Belfast. That's the simplistic introduction and it's probably enough for now.
How did I get here? Well I have spent the last 7 years involved in startups, six years of which were in (and around) my own as a co-founder. I won't get into names or ex-colleagues or any of that but lets just say, due to funding issues it all ended sadly, hit me hard and hurt me even more. From many years of passion, drive and digging deep I ended up with nothing but experience. No cash, no payout, no sale, no anything. Just the boneshaking experience of a company going into administration and an overwhelming sense of confusion.
I also worked in startups that were not mine and I have experiences with C-Level colleagues, founders, CEOs and staff that I think are worth sharing. I have met some wonderful people who do a fantastic job and some real horror shows who really......well....don't.
So why does this matter. Well, really it doesn't matter to most people but to me it's huge. I'm getting back out there, on my own with my own idea. I want to start a business that helps people as much as provides a future for me and my family using the knowledge and talent that I hopefully possess. I am a CTO, I am neurodiverse and I have a unfaltering need to make a positive difference somewhere. In the past i haven't always gotten things right. I have been an arse at times and I have had to get over myself and out of my own way more times than I care to think of. I'm learning though and still trying and I think that's worth documenting and sharing and hopefully, just hopefully, that can help others.
As things progress there may be more background for context but this blog is focussed on the future and I want to try and keep things positive.
So welcome to Tales from the StartUp. A blog that will document my thoughts, progress and experiences going again. You can probably expect me to share my thoughts on current issues, the progress I am making, the blockers and questions I face and, as a CTO moving to CEO, how things feel and look different from a new perspective.
I hope that you will enjoy this journey and share your thoughts and feedback with me as things move forward.
Ok....lets go!
